On Jane Eyre from Feminist Theory简爱中的女权主义

1、On Jane Eyre from Feminist TheoryChapter 1 IntroductionJane Eyre is a famous novel in foreign literature history. Many people read this book and begin to think her romantic life. Many scholars have begun to realize the value and effect of her feminist thought. As we all known, we can easily find the

2、 most important characterindependence from the heroine Janes struggle to society and attitude to love. Jane Eyre is not only a lively and real woman but also a representation of new female. Different people regard her as different roles from their unique angle of view. This paper mainly discusses Ja

3、ne Eyres character and life experience from feminist theory and helps reader to get touch with the soul of Jane. 1.1 Jane Eyres author-Charlotte BronteJane Eyres author is the British novelist Charlotte Bronte. She was born in a clerical family in 1816. Her family sat in a small village of the north

4、ern England She is the third child in the family and has two younger sisters and a brother. Bronte sisters are the famous female writers in the British literature but Charlotte is the most popular among sisters. She has a miserable childhood because her mother died when she was only five years old.

5、And her fathers income was too low to maintain the expenditure. Although the life of her family was very hard and deplorable, she never gives up the hope of life. She was send to the boarding school with her sisters, but the life condition was so terrible that she and her sister Emily decided to go

6、back home. They spend their childhood in desolate mountainous village. Then she went to Ms Words school to study at fifteen. A few years later she became a teacher in this school. In order to enlarge her eyeshot, she decided to be a governess in private family. But she gave up this job because she c

7、ant bear the discrimination from noblewoman and richer. Charlotte Bronte also was a girl who wanted to study and improve herself. She and her sister went to Italy to study French and German by her aunts help. When she came back hometown, she began to set a school by herself. But no people came to he

8、r school. Although her plan was fail finally, she was deeply influenced by the study experience in Italy and began her way on written. Evermore she dedicated all her life to the literature.1.2 Jane Eyres heroine-Jane EyreJane Eyre is a novel about a kind-hearted woman who pursuits freedom and indepe

9、ndent love. She is a unique female in her era. Janes parents died when she was only a child. In order to survive she must lived with her aunt. During the life in her aunts family, she suffered from the maltreatment. Occasionally she got an opportunity to go to the boarding school. But the life in th

10、e school was not happy because girls were often regarded as the inferior. She studied there six years, and then became a teacher in that school. She wanted to experience different life and made an advertisement on newspaper. Luckily she got a job to be a governess in Thorn field and met her lover Mr

11、. Edward Rochester. Jane had a wonderful life there and decided to get married with him finally. But before the wedding Jane found Rochester had got married and his wife still alive. With no doubt this was a serious shock for her. Although Mr. Rochester had anguish, Jane can not accept him and decid

12、ed to leave him to seek the peace of her own heart. Then she suffered the tribulation and illness. At that time she met St. John Rivers who helped her get rid of the terrible life. They found that they are cousin before long. This kind and gentle man wanted to marry with Jane. But Jane refused becau

13、se she didnt love him and seek her independence and equality. Jane got a considerable sum of heritage surprisingly from her uncle. She can live an ascendant life, but she cant forget Rochester and backed to Thorn field. Although Rochester was blind and his arm was broken, Jane didnt give up her true

14、 love to him and decided to get married. Finally they had a peaceful wedding under equality. From Janes beautiful love story, we can easily find her independent attitude to life; her self-respect to love. The effect of this novel is great, because Jane is a unfamiliar female figure in the world lite

15、rature. The relationship between author and Jane EyreFrom the life experience of Charlotte Bronte and Jane Eyre, we can easily find the similarity between them. As we all known, Jane Eyre is a book according to its authors experience. They both had the life to be a governess and a miserable childhoo

16、d. Although the plot is unreal, the author got the most materials from her life, including the life environment and characters. Jane Eyre, an orphan child with a fiery spirit and a longing to love and be loved, a poor, plain, little governess who dares to love her master, a man superior to her in ma

17、ny ways, and even is brave enough to declare to the man her love for him, cuts a completely new woman image. We can regard her as an epitome of the middle-class working women who are struggling for recognition of their basic rights and equality as a human being. Obviously, Charlotte Bronte is the on

18、e of them. She demonstrated her intense feelings and thought from the main character Jane Eyre. The most important character of two women is independence and self- realization. “ The reality of autobiography dont demonstrate at every plots. It should present at the thought of the writing. Both of th

19、em have the earnest hope to beautiful love and happy life. They also experienced the loneliness and desperation of love affair. Jane Eyre is an autobiography of Charlotte Bronte. Even the most professional scholars can not distinguish whether this book is an autobiography or a novel. Because most of

20、 them find it hard to separate Jane from Bronte. In some degree, Jane realized her value through her struggle and happy ending with Rochester. Bronte demonstrated her love to the Puritanical code and nature. The never dying popularity of Jane Eyre is the best gift to her undoubtedly. Not only Jane b

21、ut also Bronte seek self-realization by themselves.1.4 The significance of the Research Jane Eyre is a famous novel，so many people read it and love it. They analysis it from different angels. Although this love story is very moving, I mainly want to discuss this book from the spirits. It is noted fo

22、r its sharp criticism of the existing society. Jane is a normal woman, but she also is a delegation of new female. The societal signification of Jane Eyre helps many middle class women to get rid of conventionalism and realize their value. This paper wants to make people know it clearly and breathe

23、with Jane and its author during reading.Chapter 2 Jane Eyres character from Feminist theoryFeminist theory is a thought about the equality which many women stick for a long time. No doubt Jane Eyres character is central of this novel. From the beginning, Jane possesses a sense of dignity and a trust

24、 in God. But the societal environment forces her to balance the dream and reality. As an orphan, Jane feels exiled and ostracized, and the cruel treatment she got in aunt family only brought her feeling of alienation. But Jane never gives up the desire to find freedom and autonomy in internal. In so

25、me degree, we can understand Janes behavior present the main spirits of feminist and this novel is a clarion of women's liberation.2.1 Jane Eyres self-respect and self-confidenceJane is a girl who early experiences the cruelty and miserable society. However, Jane still has various confidences to

26、 the life and inner power. Like most people, Jane also wants to get respect from other people around herself. But she knows it impossible. Maybe other girls bear the discrimination with no words and feel that they are real inferior to men. Jane is a unique female in that era. She is poor but aspirin

27、g, small in body but huge in soul. Although there are differences in economical status and in appearance, everyone is equal. During the love between Jane and Rochester, she never lost her dignity and self-respect. On the contrary, she thinks they should respect each other. Janes self-respect and sel

28、f-confidence make her have a special charm which attracts Rochester. They fall in love under the condition of equality. When they prepared to marry, she knew the fact and refused to be mistress for him. She says to him. I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained

29、I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by men when I was sane, and not mad-as I am now, laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and s

30、oul rise in mutiny against their rigor; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot. 2 (241)Although Jane lov

31、es Rochester sincerely, she can not bear to be a doll. Finally she chooses a rational determination to persist her self-respect. In her opinions, independence is more important than beautiful love and rich life. We can see it from the ending of novel. When Rochester is disabled, she didnt abandon hi

32、m. Janes different behavior tells us that she is a strong woman, a short and small woman, having strong self-respect. She pursues a kind of bright, sincere and beautiful life unswerving. Jane ever claimed her earnest whoop: Do you think, because Im poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and

33、 heartless? You think wrong! I have as much soul as you, -and full as much heart! And if god had gifted me with some beauty, and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you through the medium of custom, conversation, nor e

34、ven of mortal flesh: -it is my spirit that addressed your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at Gods feet-equal, -as we are!2 ( 191)This is Janes famous dialogue which clearly demonstrates her toughness and inner power. I deeply influenced by Janes attitude to life an

35、d got a thought. If women want to get a happy life and real love, she must get respect from lover and society. The first step for them is to be self-respect and self-confident. For a long time, only a persons great virtue, noble soul, beautiful heart can be called as an everlasting beauty, just as W

36、illiam Shakespeare said that beauty lived with kindness 5 2.2 Jane Eyres insistence and bravery Jane Eyre is a love story about a normal woman. But Janes insistence and brave impress all the readers. The beautiful dream to love never disappears in her heart. In some degree, we can regard it as a sto

37、ry about seeking pure love. Trough this process, she also realized her own value and aim of life. Jane Eyre and Rochester get true love after a lot of sufferings. After acquaintance, then attracting each other, and falling in love deeply, they meet many obstacles. From Jane Eyres experiences, it was

38、 obvious that her relatives did not love her when she was a child. But it is just her childhood experiences that affect her character and later life. Although she is not beautiful and didnt have a high societal status, she was brave to present her real thinking. And she didnt think it ugly. Her insi

39、stence and brave make her different from other female. When her love was faced obstacles, especially meeting her love opponent Miss Blanche Ingram, she was brave and wit. Janes charm makes Rochester love her deeply and rely on her. Maybe someone will ask why Jane gives up wedding and leave if she re

40、ally wants to get love. But we must clearly know that Jane pursuits the real love which is pure and equal. Jane Eyre loves him, not because his wealth and high rank, but because he treats her equally and in a friendly manner, although she is very poor and in low position. Janes brave and insistence

41、also demonstrate in the attitude to the issues between her and Rochester. The age is the first problem; Rochester is much older than Jane. Other people may think she only pay attention to his property and high rank. But she only does as her way and knows what she really prefers. Anther problem is th

42、e environment. This pair of lovers would suffer disagreements from their families and their friends. Such as Mrs. Fairfax, one of Rochesters servants is very surprised and feels puzzled that her master is madly clinging to Jane. But both of them dont care about the difference of status and property

43、or others opinion. They pursue true love. They overcome the obstacles which Rochester has a mad wife and Janes low societal status. Although she didnt get married with Rochester, her leaving presents her brave and toughness. She leaves Rochester and loses income. The life is so real and cruel that s

44、he must rely on herself. This behavior is a brave step for her to get self-realization.In Jane life she has two important men. One is Rochester, the other is St. John. She has different attitude to them. No doubt Rochester is her real lover. Although Jane Eyre leaves, she misses Rochester every day.

45、 Wherever she goes, she remembers him every moment. She often dreams of him and wants to spend all her life with him. When she leaves him, she suffers from cold and hungry until St. John appears. Obviously, he is Janes benefactor, but she has her principle on love. When he wants to marry her, she re

46、fuses. Jane says if she joins St. John, she will abandon half herself and if she goes to India. Jane Eyre insists that true love should be based on equality, mutual understanding and respect. Then she comes back to Thorn field Garden. In most peoples eyes, nobody would like to marry a man who loses

47、his sight and most of his wealth. She gives up a comfortable life to choose a hard life because the real love. We can see the great power of real and pure love which comes from Janes insistence and bravery.2.3 Jane Eyres independenceThe independent spirit is Janes most important character. This nove

48、l can be interpreted as a symbol of the independent spirit. No matter what condition she meets, she never gives up the determination in pursuing her self-esteem and independence. She is not only struggling with social pressure, but also for the love. The reason of Janes attitude to independence Mayb

49、e many people will be confused why Janes attitude to independence is so different from others. I think there are two main reasons. First is the life in uncles family. Jane Eyre has no parents or friends, no wealth or possession, misunderstood, mistreated by her aunt. The cruel treatment she receives

50、 from her Aunt Reed and her cousins only makes her feel lonely. She wants to have a feeling of family and belonging. But unluckily, she fails and must leave under her aunts force. The miserable experience in her childhood makes her heart strong. The dramatic presentation of Janes struggle at Gate he

51、ad demonstrates that she should begin to realize it is not necessary to fear authority. Second is the life in school. After Jane went to Lo wood Orphanage, she didnt get what she always expects. The headmaster treated her badly. Jane continues to be socially ostracized and trapped, and excluded from

52、 love; her sense of independence and her freedom of self-expression are constantly threatened. All this force Jane to gain independence. She meets an important people in her life. Helen is her best friend. They have some similarity in life, but Jane is braver than her. Jane learns anther character e

53、ndurance from her. No doubly, Helens death is a big shock for her. She regards life and the position of female again. At Lo wood, Janes heart grows and her independence rises to a higher level. Not only Helen but also the teachers and the pressure from all around make her mature. In some degree, Lo

54、wood is real school for Janes heart and crucial for her to shape her character in future. Janes struggle to societyJane knows that everyone should have their own value, no matter women or men. In that era, many people think ones value must combine with the property and status. But Jane doesnt agree

55、with it. Although she knows her value didnt be respected by audiences, she still struggle. Because she wants to prove herself at least. She studied very hard and became a teacher. Her knowledge is a tool to seek self-realization. Jane Eyre gets a chance to be a tutor in Thorn field Hall. This demons

56、trates that Jane has the ability to live which is the basic for everyone. She doesnt want to be a common woman who is an appending for man. This can also clearly see, when Rochester said there is no need for her to work after marrying. Her refuse demonstrates that her strive to realize her great ide

57、al of being independent. Jane is not beautiful, but she still has the right to receive the pure love. So when she is discriminated and their love can not be accepted by other, she still perseveres in claiming her thinking loudly. Rochesters love is the best testimony for Janes value which can attrac

58、t gentleman. When Mr. Rochester proposes to her, Jane accepts because Jane feels Mr. Rochester regards her at equal levels. If she marries with him, she still has her own right to seek self-realize. But just on the wedding day, Mr. Mason cries out that Rochester already has had a wife. Angering at M

59、r. Rochesters deed, Jane speaks out these words angrily: “Do you think I can stay to become nothing to you? Do you think I am automation, a machine without feeling, and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water? 2 (191) The different behavior to marrying tells us what the most important thing for Jane. All her life experience is a process to realize her value. Her brave behavior still encoura